How to test for leaks in liquid ammonia
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I would like to ask everyone how to test for leaks in liquid ammonia
Hydrochloric acid ~ or other highly volatile acids~
Liquid ammonia is alkaline; phenolphthalein solution or litmus solution is suitable for use. Areas with leaks turn red; moreover, purple litmus solution turns blue when exposed to alkalis. This is the method we used for leak testing, and it worked very well.
This post was last edited by WenXiangShiHua on 2016-9-9 at 11:48. How can this be tested now? As soon as liquid ammonia leaves the container, it vaporizes into ammonia gas. Ammonia gas has a pungent odor; whenever there is a leak from the liquid ammonia container, the pungent smell of ammonia appears immediately on site. In cases of high concentrations, ammonia poisoning can occur. Therefore, there is no other way; the smell at the work site is the best testing method. Of course, to test the concentration of ammonia gas on the spot, an ammonia gas monitor must be used. Test strips and similar devices are designed for ammonia solutions of various concentrations, and they are not suitable for liquid ammonia.
Phenolphthalein test strip, moistened with a little water, turns red when exposed to ammonia gas
For the pipes in the early stage, nitrogen or compressed air can be used, along with soapy water for leak testing